Genting Hong Kong Appoints Tom Wolber as President & CEO of Crystal Cruises

"Tom's proven leadership skills will be invaluable to Crystal as the line takes delivery of four river ships in 2017 and 2018 as well as the first of the 'Endeavor Class' expedition yachts in 2019," said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman of Genting Hong Kong and Crystal Cruises. "His leadership will be key to the finalization of specifications and design for the new 'Exclusive Class' oceangoing vessels. Tom has our full confidence and we look forward to working closely with him to ensuring Crystal remains unmatched in the luxury travel segment."

"Crystal has developed a venerable reputation across the travel industry and my first responsibility will be continuing to deliver the world-class service and itineraries Crystal is renowned for," said Tom Wolber. "I thank Chairman Tan Sri Lim for placing his faith in me, and I look forward to spearheading some of the most innovative new-builds and experiences the cruise and hospitality industry has ever seen in the years ahead."

Mr. Wolber joins Crystal most recently from the Walt Disney Company where he served in various executive roles for 28 years, 10 of which were with Disney Cruise Line where he served as Senior Vice President of Operations. Mr. Wolber was involved in transforming Disney Cruise Line from a Port Canaveral based vacation provider to a global cruise line with itineraries covering North America, the Mediterranean and the Baltic. During his time at Disney, Mr. Wolber assisted with the successful design and launch of new builds including Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Additionally, Mr. Wolber served as President and CEO of Euro Disney, Paris and has held senior executive positions in Disney theme parks and resort operations at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

"Since acquiring Crystal in 2015, Genting has worked tirelessly to expand the Crystal brand by launching two river vessels with a third imminent, an expedition yacht and a private Boeing 777 – certainly no easy feat," added Tan Sri Lim. "Thanks to Edie Rodriquez's leadership, Crystal has successfully launched three new brands: Crystal Yachts, Crystal River Cruises and Crystal Air. We thank Edie for her service to the company, appreciate all of her hard work, and wish her the very best in future endeavors."

"It's been an extraordinary experience leading Crystal to global prominence, and I am very proud of my accomplishments," said Rodriguez.  "I can't thank Chairman Tan Sri Lim enough for the confidence and investment to assure Crystal's future with a bold expansion strategy which I've firmly put in place.  I'm happy to turn over the reins, knowing Crystal is well served by the incredibly talented and hard-working people throughout the organization – on sea, river, air and  land.  I look forward to announcing my new endeavor shortly."

Rodriguez joined Crystal as President & COO in October 2013; she was promoted to President & CEO following the acquisition of the company by Genting Hong Kong in May 2015. Prior to Crystal, Rodriguez held senior marketing, sales and business development positions with other notable luxury lines and travel companies. 

About Genting Hong Kong
About Genting Hong Kong Limited ("Genting Hong Kong") Genting Hong Kong is a leading corporation principally engaged in the business of cruise and cruise related operations along with leisure, entertainment and hospitality activities.

As a pioneer in the Asian cruise industry, Genting Hong Kong took on the bold initiative to grow the Asia-Pacific as an international cruise destination with the founding of Star Cruises, "The Most Popular Cruise Line in Asia", in 1993. In 2015, to further expand its cruise portfolio in the region, Genting Hong Kong launched Dream Cruises, "Asia's Luxury Cruise Line" to cater to the Asian luxury market. The same year, Genting finalized the acquisition of Crystal Cruises, recognized as "The World's Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line" to extend Genting Hong Kong's reach in the global up-scale market. Genting bought three shipyards in Germany in 2016, collectively known as "MV Werften", to build cruise ships up to 204,000 gross tons for its three cruise brands, following the purchase of Lloyd Werft the previous year which specializes in building Megayachts and other newbuilds.

Genting Hong Kong's investment in iconic Singapore nightlife brand Zouk – a world-class entertainment institution and trendsetter in Asia's dance music scene, and perennial top-ten fixture in the annual DJ Mag Top 100 Clubs global poll - further diversifies the company's appeal to a younger and more dynamic clientele.

About Crystal Cruises
By sea, river, land and air, Crystal has redefined the way the world views luxury travel. Celebrating 27 years of excellence, Crystal Cruises is the World's Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line, having earned "World's Best Cruise Ship" in Condé Nast Traveler's Reader Choice Awards for 23 years; been voted "World's Best Large Ship Cruise Line" by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 years; and the "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by travel professional organization Virtuoso for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 & 2016).  The readers of Travel + Leisure also voted Crystal River Cruises the "World's Best River Cruise Line" and Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises the "World's Best Small-Ship Cruise Line" in 2017. The Crystal experiences include Crystal Cruises, Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, Crystal Luxury Air, Crystal River Cruises – The World's Most Luxurious River Cruise Line – Crystal AirCruises and Crystal Exclusive Class with Crystal Residences. Crystal is proud to be a platinum partner of the professionals of ASTA.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888.799.2437, or visit www.crystalcruises.com. Join the hundreds of thousands who follow the Crystal Cruises' Facebook page and @crystalcruises on Twitter and Instagram, and engage in the conversation with #crystalcruises.

Contact:

Michael Levoff
SVP, Public Affairs
Genting
[email protected]
(347)696-5951

Susan Robison
Director, Global Public Relations
Crystal Cruises
[email protected]
(310)203-4305

SOURCE Crystal Cruises

Related Links

http://www.crystalcruises.com